Electric lighter for cigars, cigarettes, etc.



May 15, 1934. C 1 K, DAVls C A1,959,093

ELECTRIC LIGHTER FOR CIGARS, CIGARETTES, ETC

Filed May 22. 1930 ff C 'Ly/ wwwf: 96

Patented May 15, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELECTRIC LIGHTER FOR CIGARS, CIGABETTES, ETC.

My invention relates particularly to so-called electrically actuated devices for lighting cigars and cigarettes. For convenience I will refer to the device for cigars, which term is intended to 5 include cigarettes. In the past various forms of electrically heated resistance lighters have been used and it has even been proposed to blow air through the igniter unit to expedite combustion. The only partly successful ones with l which I am familiar require the smoker to personally draw air through the cigar while applying it to the igniter.

In other lighters it is necessary to hold the cigar against the lighting unit with one hand l and with the other press the button or other device for starting the lighting operation. `This of course is objectionable as it necessitates using both hands and diverting the attention of the user, which, in the case of the driver of an automobile, for instance, is dangerous.

A main object of my invention is to provide a simple and reliable apparatus into which a cigar can be inserted by one hand and lighted quickly.

Another object is to provide convenient and simple means for supplying a positive draft of air through the cigar while lighting.

Another object is to provide means for insuring lighting even when the igniter wire has lost some of its initial incandescing ability.

Another object is to provide means for indicating when the cigar is lighted.

I accordingly provide an electric igniter and a piston-like air pumping device for forcing a positive current of air past the igniter into the lighting end of the cigar and out through the opposite end of the cigar.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the description thereof which follows and to the drawing, in Which,-

Figure 1 shows a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention particularly adapted for use on a 110 volt lighting circuit.

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view substantially on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3`is a fragmentary view of a portion of the apparatus shown in Figure 1, parts being shown in a different position of operation.

5o Figure 4 is a sectional view of an embodiment of the invention adapted for use on a low voltage circuit.

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view partly in section of the tubular cigar holder of Figure 4 showing the inlet air ports.

Figure 6 is a sectional view of another form of the invention.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the lighting apparatus illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a pump cylinder 10 within which a piston 11 is 00 fitted for reciprocation, the piston 11 being preferably in the form of a disk, to the marginal portion of which a suitable leather or rubber washer or gasket 12 is secured, the marginal portion of this washer being turned about the edge of the 05 disk and in contact with the wall of the cylinder 10. A helical spring 13 is provided to press against the lower surface of the piston 11, this spring tending to move the piston upwardly toward the position shown in Figure 1.

The upper end of the cylinder 10 may partially be closed by a suitable cap or top plate 14, having a perforation 15 in which is slidably fitted a guide tube 16. The lower end of the tube 16 is contracted as at 17 and is secured to the disk 11. The 75 upper part of the tube 16 is of suiiicient inner di,- ameter to receive a cigar or cigarette with ample clearance, but the lower constricted end 17 of the tube is reduced a sufiicient amount to snugly fit the lower end of a cigar or cigarette thrust into the tube 16.

The piston 11 may carry on its under face a suitable air-tight receptacle 20 having a bottom member 21 preferably of insulating material. A number of holes 18 are provided through the pis- 85v ton by which the receptacle 20 communicates with the chamber in the cylinder above the piston 11 and beneath the top plate 14. A heating unit may be carried within the receptacle 20, this element comprising an insulating base 22 having a 90 top portion 23 within which is suitably arranged a resistance element 24. One end of the resistance element may be connected to a lower terminal 25, the other being connected to a peripheral terminal 26 in a manner well known in the art. 95 'I'he heating unit may be supported in a clamp 30 having laterally projecting ears 31 which are perforated to receive and slide on the reduced upper portions 32 of a pair of posts 33 which may be mounted in the bottom plate 21 of the receptacle 100 20. The clamp 30 and posts 33 are preferably of metal, the latter being electrically connected through a suitable wire 34 to a binding post 35 mounted in a bottom plate 36 of the pump cylinder 10.

This bottom plate 36 is preferably of fibre or other insulating material. A second binding post 37 may be mounted in the bottom plate 36 and connected as by a wire 38 to a metal bushing 39 which extends through the plate21 on the bottom 110 paratus is as illustrated in Figure 1.

of the receptacle and in which slides a metal pin 40. 'I'he pin 40 is arranged in line with the contact -of the heating unit and is movable upwardly into contact therewith so as to closev a position. A stop 42 may be mounted in the bottom plate 36 in line with the pin 40 so as to cause the latter to move upwardly relative to the piston 11 when it is brought into contact therewith by downward motion of the piston 11. The upward movement of the clamp on. the reduced .portions 32 of the posts 33 may be limited by suitable heads 43 on the upper ends of the posts 33. Extending loosely through the disk 11 are a number of pins 44. These pins are arranged so that their lower ends rest on the upper face of the heating unit, and are of suicient length to engage the upper plate 14 of the cylinder 10 when the piston 11 reaches its uppermost position.

At the upper end of the tube 16 a suitable nger piece may be provided in the form of a ring.

The operation of this embodiment of the invention is as follows: the normal position of the ap- When the apparatus is in this position, a cigar may be thrust v down through the tube 16 until the lower end of the cigar passes into the constricted end 17 and is in contact with or in close proximity to the resistance igniter element 24. The snug t of the cigar within the constricted end 17 holds the cigar in place and prevents the escape of air between the cigar and the tube. The fit of the tube in the passage 15 is substantially air-tight. With the cigar thus located, the finger piece 45 is pressed to thrust the tube 16, the piston 11 and the apparatus carried in the receptacle 20 downwardly against the force of the spring 13 until the pin 40 engages the stop 42. A Y

A slight additional downward motion of the piston carries the terminal 25 and mounting posts for the springs 41 downwardly toward the stop 42 A and at the same time' moves the pin 40 upwardly until the springs 41 come into play, at which time the pin 40 snaps upwardly past the centerposition of said springs into contact with the terminal 25, moving the heating unit with its carrying clamp upwardly to the position illustrated in Figure 3, it being held in this position by the springs 41. ment 24 is closed when the piston 11 reaches its lowermost position, causing the element to glow.

The finger piece 45 is then released, whereupon the piston 11 is pushed upwardly by the spring 13. The air above the piston is compressed by the upward motion thereof and is forced to flow through perforations 18 into the receptacle 20 and thence outwardly through the cigar itself. This promotes a complete ignition of the low'er end of the cigar, so that by the time'the piston reachesits uppermost position the cigar is well lighted and -is ready for use. As'the piston 11 approaches its uppermost position the pins 44 engage the under face of the upper plate14 and movement of the pins and ignitor are arrested. Continued movement of the piston pins snaps the outer ends of springs 41 downwardly pasttheir center position, this action resulting in a quick breaking of the circuit, which is important Thus the circuit through the resistance elefor the purpose of minimizing sparking at the contacts.

The rate of upward movement of the piston 11 may be conveniently controlled by a pair of suitable pinholes 50 and 51 through the side wall of the cylinder 10. The lower pinhole 5() is preferably smaller than the upper pinhole 51. As the piston is pushed upwardly by the spring 13, its motion is retarded by suction thus created in the portion of the cylinder 10 below the piston. This suction is gradually relieved at rst by the ingress of air through the small pinhole 50. This results in a relatively slow ascent of the piston during the initial stage of operation allowing time for the heating element to become incandescent. When the piston passes the upper pinhole 51, air is also admitted through this hole as well as the hole 50 so that the rest of the upward movement of the piston 11 is at a relatively higher rate, this creating a positive draft through the cigarette, igniting it thoroughly.

The invention as illustrated in Figure 4 is adapted for use in a low voltage circuit. This embodiment comprises a cylinder 60 having a bottom plate 61 anda top plate 62 preferably of insulating material. Within this cylinder vis a reciprocating pump piston comprising a metal disk 63 having a suitable washer 64, the

marginal portions of which turn about the edge of the disk 63 and rest against the side walls of the cylinder 60. The piston is pressed upwardly as by a spring 65, this spring being electrically connected at its lower end to a binding post 66 and at its upper end'to an element 67 which is in,

t. Below the constricted neck v71 is a larger portion 72 within which the heating unit 69 may be lmounted and which has holes 72. One end of the resistance element 68 is electrically conn'ected to the tube 70 which, in turn, is adapted to engage a contact member 73 when the piston and tube are pushed downwardly. The contact member 73 is connected to one of the two wires 74, 75 which lead from theA current source, th binding post 66 being connected to the other of these wires. The connection between the contact member 73 and the wire 74 may conveniently be through the cylinder 60 itself if the cylinder is metallic. Suitable pinholes 76 and 77 may be provided in the side wall of the cylinder. A nger piece 78 is preferably mounted at the upper end of the tube 70.

'Ihe operation of th's form of the invention is similar to that of the form illustrated in Figure 1. A cigar is inserted in the tube 70 until itsA tip is squeezed into the constricted neck 71 in proximity to the resistance element 68. The tube 70 and pump piston are then moved downwardly by pressing on the finger piece 78, this movement being against the force of the spring 65. As the downward movement starts, the tube rubs against the contact element 73, closing the circuit through the heating element 68 so as to cause the latter toincandesce. The piston is released when it has reached its lowermost point and is allowed to be moved upwardly by the pressure of the spring 65 forcing air through the air ports 72', the tube-'70, around the resistance 68A and upwardly through the cigar. The suction between the plunger and the lower end of the cylinder retards this upward movement, the rate of movement being controlled by the pinholes 76 and 77 as hereinbefore described.

In the form shown in Figure 6, the pump cyl- Inder 79 has its top plate 80 formed with a central opening having a restricted portion 8l into which the cigar or cigarette is inserted and gripped therein. Depending from the top plate 80 is another plate 82 formed with air openings 83 and supported on this plate 82 is a suitable resistance igniter element 84 disposed in alignment with and in close proximity to the lower edge of the opening 81. Within the cylinder is a reciprocating pump piston comprising a metal disk 85, having a suitable washer 86, the marginal portions of which turn about the edge of the disk 85 and rest against the side walls of the cylinder. Depending from central portion of the piston is an iron armature 87 of a solenoid 88 mounted on the base 89 through which solenoid the armature is adapted to move when the solenoid is energized. A helical spring 90 surrounds the armature 87 and has its lowermost convolution resting against the top of the solenoid and its uppermost one pressing against the bottom of the piston to normally keep the piston in upward position as shown in Figure 6. The resistance element 84 and the solenoid 88 are connected to a battery or other suitable source of electricity 91 by means of conductors 92 and 93 and 94 95, respectively. A switch 96 is provided to close and open the circuits.

In using this form of the invention, the cigar is placed in the opening 81 and the switch 96 is closed, closing the circuit to the resistance unit 84 to heat the same and closing the circuit to the solenoid thereby energizing the same. When the solenoid is energized the armature is drawn down carrying the piston along with it and against the action of the spring 90. Upon releasing the switch 96, the circuits are broken, and the spring 90 pushes the piston upwardly in the cylinder compressing the air therein and forcing it through the air ports 83 in the plate 82, around the resistance element 84 and through the lighted end of the cigar and upwardly thereof through the opposite end of the cigar. A distinctive feature' of the invention is the fact that a stream of smoke is forced out of the upper or outer end of the cigar when it is ignited thus indicating when the operation is complete. If the smoke does not come out promptly the cigar should be pushed in a little further or the plunger depressed and released again. Ordinarily this is not necessary but if the resistance Wire is badly oxidized or the cigar slow to burn it may be desirable to expedite ignition in this way.

I claim:

1. A cigar lighter including a housing, a movable piston therein, a heater element carried by said piston, a tubular member for holding a cigar or the like, means associated with said piston for heating said heater element upon movement of the piston in one direction and means associated with said piston for forcing air through the lighted end of said cigar and longitudinally thereof upon its movement in the opposite direction.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising a member having an aperture adapted to receive an end of a cigarette or the like with a snug iit, an incandescing element supported adjacent to said aperture to be in proximity to the end of a cigarette thrust through said aperture, a control switch connected in series with said incandescing element, and means for inducing a flow of air through said aperture in a direction away from said element, said means comprising a pump cylinder, a piston slidable in said cylinder and forming on one side thereof a pressure chamber communicating with said aperture, a spring engaging said piston and adapted to move said piston to compress the air in said chamber, said piston being manually movable against the force of said spring, and means for closing said switch by manual operation of said piston and to open said switch by spring operation of said piston.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising a pump cylinder, a piston slidable therein and forming a pressure chamber therewith, an incandescing element carried by said piston, a tubular stem extending through the upper end of said cylinder and secured to said piston in line with said incandescing element, said stem being adapted to receive a cigarette to be lighted and communicating with said pressure chamber, and means for resiliently pressing said piston in a direction to compress the air in said chamber and to force air through the tubular stem and the cigarette located therein.

4. A cigar lighter including a housing having an air chamber a movable member for guiding one end of a cigar in a longitudinal direction into said housing, an electrically heated device associated therewith for heating the inner end of said cigar, means for `energizing said device upon longitudinal movement of said guiding member in one direction and means for forcing air from said chamber through said heated end of the cigar and longitudinally thereof upon movement of said guiding member in the opposite direction.

5. A cigar lighter comprising a casing having a chamber with only one substantial outlet, a tubular plunger mounted to reciprocate in said opening and having a cigar guiding passage, a spring for pressing said plunger outwardly, a projecting nger piece attached to the outer end of the plunger for pressing the plunger inwardly with the inserted cigar, an electrically heated igniter element mounted in the casing at the inner end of said plunger, a switch for controlling the passage of the current through the igniter element, means of connection between the switch and the plunger whereby the switch is actuated to close the circuit when the plunger is moved inwardly in the casing, means for forcing air outwardly from the casing through the outlet passage and the cigar contained therein when the plunger is released and means by which the movement of the plunger actuates the said means for forcing air outwardly through said passage, the construction being such that smoke from the burning tip of the cigar is forced through the cigar to serve as an indicator when ignition has taken place.

LINCOLN K. DAVIS. 

